Social Welfare Search

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Pathfinder site: https://waynecollegelibrary.wikispaces.com/Social+Welfare+Search

Collaborative Writing

There are many approaches to collaborating on a group project. Your group might consider using an online collaborative tool like this one using Wikispaces, or you might consider using an online document sharing program like Google Docs (or it may be called Google Drive). Because all University of Akron students automatically have a Gmail account, you can use this same account to use Google Docs.
Check out this sample document created by the library staff:
Sample Document in Google Docs

Locating Print Resources

Phone Books:

  • The library collects area phone books, including Wayne / Holmes Counties, Akron, Wadsworth, Medina, and Stark County
  • Use the special sections of the phone book: community pages, government pages, special indexes (depending on the city)
  • In the yellow pages check out these categories:
    • Associations
    • Human service organizations
    • Mental health
    • Social service & welfare organizations
    • See also: specific topics (disability, senior citizens, youth, etc.)

Local Newspapers:

  • The library subscribes to the following local papers: Daily Record (Wooster), Beacon Journal (Akron), Orrviews (Orrville), and the Holmes County Hub.
  • Look for upcoming events, public notices, and advertisements for local organizations.

Reference Books from the Library's Collection:

  • Browse a selection of reference books in the library's collection on a variety of social service topics. These books have been added to the list because they include directory-type information helpful for state and national resources.
  • Choose a title from the list of Social Welfare Reference and Directory Resources and find it on the shelf.
  • Click on the call number to view the library catalog record for more information.

Gale Directory Library

  • Access the Gale Directory Library database to locate local, state, and national organizations and associations.
  • The database includes these directories:
    • The Encyclopedia of Associations (Local / Regional, National, and International editions)
    • National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations
  • Go to the "Advanced Search"
  • Select the directories you would like to search. Use the Ctrl (control) key to select more than one database.
  • Perform a keyword search strategy using Boolean operators, truncation, and fields.

Locating Electronic Resources

Search Using a Search Engine

Google: Advanced Search Strategies

Phrase searching:
  • A phrase is more than one word, not too many to expect reasonable matches
  • Enclose your phrase terms in quotes:
    • "adoption agencies"
    • "domestic violence"
  • Building a search strategy with operators
    • AND: is assumed between each word not enclosed in quotes
    • OR: allows for synonyms
      • programs OR services
      • agencies OR organizations
    • NOT: excludes results containing specific words. Use a minus sign in Google:
      • "adoption agencies" -dogs
    • Parentheses: Anytime you use multiple operators, group your terms:
      • (programs OR services) AND ("domestic violence" OR rape)
Advanced search screen options:
  • All these words: Performs an AND search for all words entered
  • This exact wording or phrase: Performs a phrase search
  • One or more of these words: Performs an OR search
  • Limiting results:
    • Searching within a domain:
      • Helpful when trying to locate agencies and organizations
        • .org
        • .gov
        • .edu
    • Date, usage, rights, etc.
    • File type:
      • .pdf
      • .doc
  • Customize your search settings:
    • Location
    • Search "Nearby"

Helpful Google shortcuts:

  • Site:
  • Inurl:
  • Intitle:

Search Using a Meta Search Engine

Browse Using a Portal

Browse Using a Subject Directory

Connect Using Social Networking Tools


During the library's normal operating hours you can stop by, call, text message, or chat with the library staff live: